The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-04-21
FAIR PLAY.

The above communication is from a
gentleman well known throughout this
county for honesty of purpose and indie
pendence of action. He is republican,
but as is evident from the above commu-
nlcatlon, he is no party serf and puts
neither his conscience in the keeping, or
his action at the disposal of party man
ayers. What he says of the derision
heaped upon those who dare to break
loose the letters which party would place
upon the mind, is unfortunately too true.
But the mugwump of to-day, be he dem
ocrat or republican who spurns the cor
rupting tendencies of his party, is the
drdnt-cOure1tr of system of politics
which appeals to the reason of the voter
through the purity of the principles it
offers for his support. The petty schem-
ing for advantage, of which this appor-
tionment is such striking and infamous
example, is rapidly falling into disrepute
and there is demand that party victory
shall yield other fruitage than the spoils
of office. There was a time when men
plumed themselves upon the fact that
they never voted any but the straight
ticket" Such claim now is looked upon
as a badge of servitude. Local politicians
sought to perpetuate the tyranny of party
and to make the elections a mere census
of party chattels at the polls,-an inven-
tory of stock taken at regular intervals
in the interests of those who held office
not through any merit of their own, but
through the convenience of a party label.
Dodge county, and even Manitowoc, has
felt the bighting effects of the straight
democrat who never split ticket. But
it is no longer SO in either county. The
party has emerged from the mists which
clouded his vision and he votes no longer
the democratic ticket be it good or bad
but exercises a large measure of discre-
ton. The Norwegian no longer casts his
vote as the party may dictate but scans
his ticket to ascertain where it may be
strengthened by substitution. There is
more mugwumpery abroad than Fair
Play" is aware Of 1t has solid hold on
large portion of the press. The servile
organ has lost its power and support
which Is perfunctory and not hearty is
without influence. In few years, though
party will still control so far as presenting
local tickets, county and town, is concern
ed, there will be almost absolute in
dependence of party in the selection at
the polls. The mugwump will be domi-
nant in county elections. The Pilot does
not bind itself to support the action of
every convention. The fitness of the man
is higher consideration than the label
of the party. Nor would The Pilot be
democratic in national affairs if that
party were controlled by Randall and his
faction. Party can Justify its existence
only as it is the means through which
certain principles are put in practice IN
the administration of the government.
To elevate party above principle is to say
the instrument is greater than the work
it is designed to accomplish. When party
feaItv comes from devotion to the princi-
pies which the party represents all will
be mugwumps and a mans politics viii
no longer be inherited. Does not Far
PLAY" believe that the consciousness of
acting as ones ideas of right and wrong
dictate,-the glorious privilege of being
independent" fully compensates, for the
litical escutcheon the legend Ich dein.
Before emancipation, the slaves in the
south looked upon the free negroes as
interiors because they were without a
master to think and act for them.